Our Savior, Our Killer

Mist surrounded the landscape like a blanket. Trees wept, their heads bowed as if they were ashamed. Their tears relentlessly poured from their eyes and their heaven above. They shook, as their sobs raked through their bodies. A pond, small yet beautiful, sat in the middle of their sorrows. The clear, pristine water was calm in contrast to the things happening around it. It sat, protected by its guardians as it captivated the eyes of any passer-by.

Not far from this salvation was a man. He was skinny, his ribs on display for the world to see. His mouth was dry and he could barely speak, even if he wanted to. His clothes were tattered as it hugged his body and were covered in sweat, mud, and tears. His chestnut brown hair stayed matted to his head as his greens eyes held on to the place in front of it. It called to him, begged him to come closer, and he tried with all his might to obey its commands. He struggled, keeping on his hands and knees as he was too weak to stand.

Groaning, the man placed one shaky hand forward. He wobbled slightly, but pushed forward, desperate for a sip, a taste, of the clean water that lay just ahead of him. It took most of his effort not to topple over and he panted from exhaustion. Taking another step forward, he let out a shaky breath as pain coursed through his body. Suddenly, he lost his balance, toppling into the ground beneath him. It was like a wildfire spread through his body as he opened his mouth in a silent scream. Taking a sharp intake of air, he slowly let it pass through his lips in an effort to calm himself.

Determination gleamed in his eyes as he attempted to get back up, but was soon replaced by defeat, and the fear of what was to happen next. Sprawled on the grass, just feet away from his golden ticket, he tried to drag himself across the ground. His efforts proved futile as his hands only grabbed mud. Finally, his last bit of hope left him, as well as his life.

The water could have been his savior, but the need for it was his killer.

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This story is mine, therefore I own it and copy-cats will be found and punished by the full extent of the law.